I dont like it when its loose and sloppy! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*1974k5blazer* · 02-02-2008, 04:40 AM

Hey guys the steering on my 74 is rediculusly loose, what causes this and how do i fix it? what should i look for? its got a 4 inch lift and power steering?? need help have to drive it back to az soon and can't do that till i fix the steering, just keeping it on the road is a quite the task!

abebummy26 · 02-02-2008, 07:50 AM

Idler arms maybe tie rod ends is a possibility as well.

BLE 'BURBAN · 02-02-2008, 07:07 PM

What Guy Does???

**Zoomad75** · 02-03-2008, 12:29 AM

Well, I'd check out the ends on the drag link, tie rod and the steering gear itself. Other causes could be sloppy ball joints on the axle or (and this is often overlooked) a cracked frame at the steering gear.

If the frame is cracked there, every time you turn the wheel, not all the movement is going to the tires, some of it is flopping the gear around. Could be only a little or could be a lot. Have some body steer the truck with it parked while you watch for the gear assembly to move or not. If it's cracked you will need to fix them and add in a weld in brace.

*1974k5blazer* · 02-03-2008, 03:11 AM

yeah looked at the gear box right after i posted this and its got three cracks around each mounting hole!! grrrrrrr something else to fix on this truck! anyone want to buy it for 2200!

abebummy26 · 02-03-2008, 06:52 AM

Ok If your frame has not yet done this is there any way to reinforce the area, to make sure it wont happen? Is this only likely to happen on 1/2 ton and 3/4 tons or could it happen to 1 tons as well?

*1974k5blazer* · 02-03-2008, 07:23 AM

probly any i think they use the same frame rails!

tvblazer78 · 02-03-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLE 'BURBAN

What Guy Does???

That's what I was thinking!!

abebummy26 · 02-03-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1974k5blazer

probly any i think they use the same frame rails!

I dont think so I've seen my frame its a true 1 ton and the frame on a 1/2 ton plus the 1 ton frame is 8inches and the 1/2 ton frame is 6 inches 3/4 ton frame is the same as 1/2 ton though.

mtndewmaniac66 · 02-23-2008, 02:03 AM

This gives me something else to look at! I have checked all steering components, including the rag joint, and all is tight. I guess I had better fix that before I put the 4" lift and the 3/4 ton axles underneath!

mtndewmaniac66 · 02-23-2008, 10:29 PM

So, last night, after reading this thread, I have crawled under my fender and had my wife work the steering wheel back and forth, and I cannot believe all the movement under there! I saw my steering box moving approx 1/16" back and forth, I witnessed the spring eye moving back and forth about the same amount, I saw the swaybar mount bracket, bolt AND rivet move about 1/16" as well, not to mention that the forward half of the drag link move in the socket! I can see how a total of 1/8" to 1/4" of movement can make the suburban wander! I was surprised to see the rag joint in good condition, and the rest of the steering linkage in good shape, nice and tight. I have parked it until I can get time to work on it.

**Zoomad75** · 02-24-2008, 04:06 AM

You need this to fix the frame:

And you need this to prevent it from happening again:

Go here to get it:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

mtndewmaniac66 · 03-05-2008, 04:03 AM

And you need this to prevent it from happening again:

Go here to get it:

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm[/QUOTE]

I have mine ordered this morning. Fortunately, I did not have any cracks on the framerails, but I did nave a couple of rivets wallowed out.
Thank you, Zoomad75, for the link.
(I did not mean to hijack the thread, it just happened to be perfect timing)

02-02-2008, 04:40 AM	#1
1974k5blazer Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 243	I dont like it when its loose and sloppy! Hey guys the steering on my 74 is rediculusly loose, what causes this and how do i fix it? what should i look for? its got a 4 inch lift and power steering?? need help have to drive it back to az soon and can't do that till i fix the steering, just keeping it on the road is a quite the task!

02-02-2008, 07:50 AM	#2
abebummy26 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Haven, MO Posts: 1,243	Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy! Idler arms maybe tie rod ends is a possibility as well. __________________ -Lincoln 1987 GMC S15 (soon to be a chevy clone) 2.5l, 4 speed, no ps, no pb, no ac Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver. Spoken by Cletus the hillbilly I like stickers... a whole bunch.

02-02-2008, 07:07 PM	#3
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy! What Guy Does??? __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

02-03-2008, 12:29 AM	#4
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy! Well, I'd check out the ends on the drag link, tie rod and the steering gear itself. Other causes could be sloppy ball joints on the axle or (and this is often overlooked) a cracked frame at the steering gear. If the frame is cracked there, every time you turn the wheel, not all the movement is going to the tires, some of it is flopping the gear around. Could be only a little or could be a lot. Have some body steer the truck with it parked while you watch for the gear assembly to move or not. If it's cracked you will need to fix them and add in a weld in brace. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

02-03-2008, 03:11 AM	#5
1974k5blazer Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 243	Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy! yeah looked at the gear box right after i posted this and its got three cracks around each mounting hole!! grrrrrrr something else to fix on this truck! anyone want to buy it for 2200!

02-03-2008, 06:52 AM	#6
abebummy26 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Haven, MO Posts: 1,243	Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy! Ok If your frame has not yet done this is there any way to reinforce the area, to make sure it wont happen? Is this only likely to happen on 1/2 ton and 3/4 tons or could it happen to 1 tons as well? __________________ -Lincoln 1987 GMC S15 (soon to be a chevy clone) 2.5l, 4 speed, no ps, no pb, no ac Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver. Spoken by Cletus the hillbilly I like stickers... a whole bunch.

02-03-2008, 07:23 AM	#7
1974k5blazer Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 243	Re: I dont like it when its loose and slopy! probly any i think they use the same frame rails!

02-23-2008, 02:03 AM	#10
mtndewmaniac66 Do the Dew! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vernal, Utah Posts: 191	Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy! This gives me something else to look at! I have checked all steering components, including the rag joint, and all is tight. I guess I had better fix that before I put the 4" lift and the 3/4 ton axles underneath!

02-23-2008, 10:29 PM	#11
mtndewmaniac66 Do the Dew! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vernal, Utah Posts: 191	Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy! So, last night, after reading this thread, I have crawled under my fender and had my wife work the steering wheel back and forth, and I cannot believe all the movement under there! I saw my steering box moving approx 1/16" back and forth, I witnessed the spring eye moving back and forth about the same amount, I saw the swaybar mount bracket, bolt AND rivet move about 1/16" as well, not to mention that the forward half of the drag link move in the socket! I can see how a total of 1/8" to 1/4" of movement can make the suburban wander! I was surprised to see the rag joint in good condition, and the rest of the steering linkage in good shape, nice and tight. I have parked it until I can get time to work on it. Last edited by mtndewmaniac66; 02-23-2008 at 10:30 PM.

02-24-2008, 04:06 AM	#12
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy! You need this to fix the frame: And you need this to prevent it from happening again: Go here to get it: http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

03-05-2008, 04:03 AM	#13
mtndewmaniac66 Do the Dew! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Vernal, Utah Posts: 191	Re: I dont like it when its loose and sloppy! And you need this to prevent it from happening again: Go here to get it: http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm[/QUOTE] I have mine ordered this morning. Fortunately, I did not have any cracks on the framerails, but I did nave a couple of rivets wallowed out. Thank you, Zoomad75, for the link. (I did not mean to hijack the thread, it just happened to be perfect timing)



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.